Reading Eagle: Lauren A. Little |
Marsha Landis of Complete Restorations of Ephrata gathers valuables and sentimental items Moday from the home of Charles and Sandra Thom that was damaged in storms that hit West Cocalico Township, Lancaster County, Sunday night.

Reading Eagle: Lauren A. Little |
A shed hangs in a tree Monday as residents work to clean up after a storm and tornado hit West Cocalico Township Sunday night.

Red Cross helping 10 people displaced by storm, tornado in Lancaster County

A total of 10 people from two northern Lancaster County families were being assisted by the American Red Cross with emergency shelter and other needs after they were displaced by a Sunday night storm that included a tornado, officials said Tuesday.

The National Weather Service confirmed Monday that an EF-1 tornado touched down briefly in West Cocalico Township.

The weather service said late Tuesday afternoon the tornado's maximum wind speed was 105 mph, and it traveled about 1 mile along a 125-yard-wide path. Three people were injured, according to the weather service statement.

The weather service said the tornado was produced by a severe thunderstorm at 8:03 p.m., forming near the Oak Ridge Mobile Home Park. Dozens of trees were uprooted or snapped in that area, and some of the mobile homes sustained minor damage.

Winds were estimated at around 100 mph when the tornado began.

The storm moved north east across Wollups Hill Road, uprooting trees as it went, then turned east and approached the Pennsylvania Turnpike as it tracked towards Kline Road.

The tornado continued east and northeast, ripping through Kline Road and Bridle Path Way.

Kline Road was the worst hit area in the storm's path, with several homes sustaining significant damage. At least three houses suffered major damage to their roofs.

Kline Road is also where the three people were injured.

The tornado dissipated just east of Kline Road at around 8:05 p.m.

Roofs of some homes were torn off as the storm system moved through the area

Lisa Landis, spokeswoman for the American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania Region, said a team was dispatched to the area immediately after the storm hit.

Another team rolled out late Tuesday morning and canvassed the most heavily impacted area — residences along Kline Road where it traversed the Pennsylvania Turnpike just outside of Denver in West Cocalico.

"We were essentially driving up and down the street speaking to homeowners block by block," Landis said, "making sure they know the Red Cross is there for them."

Landis invited residents who need assistance but haven't had contact with the Red Cross to call the toll-free assistance line, 1-800-422-7677.

Philip Colvin, director of the Lancaster County Emergency Management Agency, said damage to property appears to have been limited to the Denver area.

He said an emergency shelter was not set up because only a couple families were displaced. He said at least three people were injured.

Witnesses said they heard constant thunder and saw a funnel cloud traveling north through Denver and West Cocalico.